Tag: Angela Eagle

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angela Eagle on 2016-01-14.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the savings accrued by the closure of the Wallasey Jobcentre Plus in Liscard.

Priti Patel

The proposed relocation of Department for Work and Pensions colleagues from Wallasey Dominick House to Birkenhead Brunswick House will provide an expected net financial saving of around £450,000 by 2018.

Notification of the 4-week consultation period was sent to all key stakeholders of Wallasey Jobcentre Plus, including Angela Eagle MP, Eric Robinson (Chief Executive Wirral Council), People Plus (Work Programme Provider), Ingeus (Work Programme Provider), Citizens Advice Bureau, and Wirral Welfare Rights.

The Department has no plans to publish the outcome of the consultation.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angela Eagle on 2016-02-09.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment he has made of the performance against its aims of the Government’s productivity plan, entitled Fixing the foundations: Creating a more prosperous nation, published in July 2015.

Joseph Johnson

Productivity growth is a key economic challenge for this Parliament. Productivity, measured as output per hour worked, grew by 1.3% in the third quarter of 2015 compared to a year earlier.

We are now in the process of implementing the Productivity Plan, with Ministers and officials overseeing delivery through cross-Whitehall boards and Cabinet Committees. We are making good progress, specifically:

• The rate and scope of the Apprenticeships Levy has been confirmed, bringing us closer to a sustainable funding system to boost skills and put employers in the driving seat.

• The Cutting Red Tape Programme aims to cut at least £10 billion of unnecessary regulation.

• The Housing and Planning Bill, now awaiting its Committee stage in the House of Lords, was introduced to boost house building and accelerate planning decisions.

• New devolution deals have been signed with Sheffield, the North East, Tees Valley, Liverpool and West Midlands.

• Proposals have been made to increase the quality of teaching and student choice in higher education.

• The Productivity Leadership Group, chaired by Sir Charlie Mayfield, is progressing well and will report in the summer.

• We have continued to protect the science budget in real terms to the end of the Parliament, and are protecting in cash terms the funding through Innovate UK.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angela Eagle on 2016-01-14.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, who his Department consulted prior to 18 September 2015 on the proposed closure of Wallasey Jobcentre Plus; and if he will make a statement.

Priti Patel

The proposed relocation of Department for Work and Pensions colleagues from Wallasey Dominick House to Birkenhead Brunswick House will provide an expected net financial saving of around £450,000 by 2018.

Notification of the 4-week consultation period was sent to all key stakeholders of Wallasey Jobcentre Plus, including Angela Eagle MP, Eric Robinson (Chief Executive Wirral Council), People Plus (Work Programme Provider), Ingeus (Work Programme Provider), Citizens Advice Bureau, and Wirral Welfare Rights.

The Department has no plans to publish the outcome of the consultation.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angela Eagle on 2016-02-09.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment he has made of the effect of employee involvement in the workplace on productivity levels.

Nick Boles

The research report ‘Does Worker Wellbeing Affect Workplace Performance?’ was published by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills in October 2014 and can be found on GOV.UK. This examines the wide range of factors, including employee involvement, that can positively impact on worker wellbeing. The analysis carried out using the 2011 Workplace Employment Relations Study suggests that well-being is also positively associated with workplace financial performance, labour productivity and the quality of output or service.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angela Eagle on 2016-01-14.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to his Answer of 9 September 2015 to Question 9059, which other key stakeholders have been consulted on co-locating with Wallasey Jobcentre Plus; and when he plans to publish the outcomes, responses and findings of those consultations.

Priti Patel

The proposed relocation of Department for Work and Pensions colleagues from Wallasey Dominick House to Birkenhead Brunswick House will provide an expected net financial saving of around £450,000 by 2018.

Notification of the 4-week consultation period was sent to all key stakeholders of Wallasey Jobcentre Plus, including Angela Eagle MP, Eric Robinson (Chief Executive Wirral Council), People Plus (Work Programme Provider), Ingeus (Work Programme Provider), Citizens Advice Bureau, and Wirral Welfare Rights.

The Department has no plans to publish the outcome of the consultation.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angela Eagle on 2016-02-11.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what assessment he has made of the potential effect on UK productivity of the planned introduction of research and development grants.

Joseph Johnson

Innovation is a key driver of productivity and the UK ranks among the best in the world in various indices. The Government is focussed on creating the best conditions for innovative businesses to flourish and will be protecting, in cash terms, total spending on business led innovation through Innovate UK.

We are exploring the range of finance products, including loans, available in a number of other countries. We will also be conducting market research to engage with, and further understand the needs of, innovative businesses in the UK.

The Government also intends to commence pilots to test specific finance products before progressing to full roll out.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angela Eagle on 2016-01-14.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will take steps to reimburse claimants who use the Wallasey Jobcentre Plus in Liscard for the additional cost of travel to an alternative site when that office closes.

Priti Patel

Assessment is made on the impact to claimants of any relocation of DWP business. Should the closure go ahead, the move would be 2 miles and approx. 20 minutes travel by public transport,to Birkenhead Jobcentre Plus. Depending on the claimant’s circumstances, reimbursement of additional costs would be considered if claimants were expected to attend an appointment at the Jobcentre that does not fall on their official signing day.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angela Eagle on 2016-02-23.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what recent assessment he has made of the performance of his Department’s UK National Contact Point in investigating complaints on private sector contract compliance with UK human rights commitments.

Anna Soubry

The UK National Contact Point (NCP) for the OECD Multi-National Enterprise Guidelines considers complaints that UK based multinationals have not met the voluntary obligations of the Guidelines in regard to responsible business behaviour. Ministers have no role in the NCP’s investigation of complaints, but ensure that its final statements on complaints are available for scrutiny in the House Libraries. The UK NCP also reports annually to the OECD Investment Committee which is responsible for the Guidelines and their implementation.

The UK Government is committed to fulfilling its obligations under the OECD Multi-National Enterprise Guidelines and maintaining a NCP which operates in line with international best practice. The UK NCP is regularly invited by the OECD to contribute to best practice sharing and the OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurria has praised its effectiveness and positive outcomes.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angela Eagle on 2016-01-20.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, whether all companies in the steel industry which are entitled to state aid for renewables obligation and feed-in tariffs are receiving that compensation.

Anna Soubry

On 14 December, the EU Commission approved our first state aid case – to commence relief from the indirect costs of the Renewables Obligation and small-scale Feed-in-Tariff. eligible companies are now able to apply for compensation, and those that apply by the end of the financial year will receive payments from the date of approval. Scheme guidance and application forms were published on 19 January 2016 and details can be found on the GOV.UK website. This compensation is in addition to the £60 million of support the Government has already given to the steel industry to mitigate the impact of climate policy.

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angela Eagle on 2016-02-23.

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what recent assessment he has made of the performance of his Department’s UK National Contact Point in investigating complaints on private sector contract compliance with UK human rights commitments.

Anna Soubry

The UK National Contact Point (NCP) for the OECD Multi-National Enterprise Guidelines considers complaints that UK based multinationals have not met the voluntary obligations of the Guidelines in regard to responsible business behaviour. Ministers have no role in the NCP’s investigation of complaints, but ensure that its final statements on complaints are available for scrutiny in the House Libraries. The UK NCP also reports annually to the OECD Investment Committee which is responsible for the Guidelines and their implementation.

The UK Government is committed to fulfilling its obligations under the OECD Multi-National Enterprise Guidelines and maintaining a NCP which operates in line with international best practice. The UK NCP is regularly invited by the OECD to contribute to best practice sharing and the OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurria has praised its effectiveness and positive outcomes.